Worcester City Council warms up to food trucks

Tuesday

Oct 8, 2013 at 10:32 PMOct 8, 2013 at 11:48 PM

By Nick Kotsopoulos, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — It has been five years since street vendors and food truck operators were pretty much given the bum's rush out of the city, after the City Council adopted regulations that made it a lot more difficult for them to operate.

But the council now appears poised to ease the regulations for food truck operators.

Councilor-at-Large Frederick C. Rushton, chairman of the council's Economic Development Committee, said Tuesday night he has scheduled a committee hearing for 5 p.m. Oct. 23 to take up the food truck ordinance.

He said the committee will look at possible modifications to the city policy governing permits for food trucks.

In particular, he said, the committee will consider allowing more than one food truck to operate in a city park, as well as identifying areas of the city where food trucks could be allowed to operate without affecting the business of established restaurants.

"I expect some movement out of the committee on this matter," said Mr. Rushton, who has been a supporter of one-day gourmet food truck festivals in the city that have proven to be very popular. "I believe this is something consumers want and expect."

In 2008, the City Council placed limitations on food truck vendors by restricting their length of stopping time — they have to move at least 500 feet every five minutes — and hours of operation.

They are also prohibited from conducting business near "brick-and-mortar" restaurants and the DCU Center.

The restrictions were adopted, in part, to address restaurant owners' complaints of unfair competition. They said food truck operators and vendors were able to operate without being saddled by costly property tax or insurance expenses.

Food trucks are currently allowed in city parks, but the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Division permits only one vendor per park.

Robert L. Moylan Jr., commissioner of public works and parks, said most years there are about four to six vendors actively offering concessions within city parks. He said vendors are currently using Green Hill Park, Greenwood Park, Elm Park and the Common.

He said only one vendor is allowed per park and that vendor can diversify the offerings and reduce conflicts with other vendors.

But Mr. Rushton said he would like to see more food trucks allowed in each park. He said that would provide park users with a greater diversity in offerings, and it would make it more attractive for food truck owners to operate in the city.

Outside the parks, the councilor said, he feels that "common areas" can be found in the city where the council could find a balance between the needs of brick-and-mortar restaurants and food truck operators.

District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, who supported the tougher regulations in the past, said he has "changed a little bit" on the food truck issue.

He said he does think it is a good idea to consider easing restrictions, as long as such action does not adversely affect established restaurants.

He said he would not want to see those businesses hurt, because restaurant owners invest substantial money in their business and they often have to work long hours.

"I think that something that if well thought out could be warmly embraced," Mr. Palmieri said. "A careful look at this is something that's important. The time has come to look at this, as long as we are being careful enough not to adversely affect existing restaurants."